A growing disaffection with Obamacare

As a supporter of universal health care who has spoken with many Marylanders on the issue, I can tell you that Justin Cuffley's recent commentary is representative of a growing disaffection with a health care system that puts profits ahead of people ("A supporter sours on Obamacare," Aug. 15).

We have been told to wait patiently for institutional reform to be handed down by the "experts," but for many people the result doesn't seem to be worth the wait. Those, like Mr. Cuffley, who are disabled and on fixed incomes have simply placed their bets on the "race to Medicare."

The Affordable Care Act is a striking misnomer. Premiums could go up by as much as 25 percent in this state. By failing to address the skyrocketing cost of health care in America, the rate of bankruptcies and foreclosures due to medical debt will likely continue. Also, despite best intentions, coverage will still be woefully uneven. In Maryland alone, some 423,000 people are expected to remain uninsured.

Yet things don't have to be this way. Maryland could have a healthier future. Indeed, people throughout the state, inspired by a successful effort in Vermont in 2011, are beginning to build a grass-roots effort to ensure that everyone's right to health care is respected.

Chapters of Healthcare is a Human Right — Maryland are working to spread knowledge of a genuinely universal alternative that would help everyone while also reducing our deficit. To show how we can do this, the Howard County chapter of HCHR-MD is organizing a screening of "The Healthcare Movie" at the central library in Columbia on Aug. 28 from 6:45 p.m. to 8 p.m.

Anyone interested in joining the movement to put people ahead of profits can also either email hchrmaryland@gmail.com or go to http://www.facebook.com/HealthcareisaHumanRightMaryland.